Electric safety system for railroads



May 29, 1923.

J. SKlNDERVlKEN ELECTRIC SAFETY SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Sent. 24, '1917 5 Sheets-Sheet l J.,SKINDERV|KEN ELECTRIC SAFETISYSTEM FOR RAILROADS May 29, 1923 Filed Sept. 24, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q MW Jzz/pmfo Joke; 3/5/716/573078/2'872 May 29, 1923. 1,457,192 J. SKINDERVIKEN ELECTRIC SAFETY SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Fil d S t, 24, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 29, 1923. 1,457,192 J. SKINDERVIKEN ELECTRIC SAFETY SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Sept, 24, 1917 5 SheetsSheet 4 y I 7343 jfarizg' May 29, 1923. 1,457,192

J. SKINDERVIKEN ELECTRIC SAFETY SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed se t, 24, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 29, 1923.

U NIT ED S JOHAN SKINIDERVIKEN, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIsjAs-srornon or ONE-HALF Pro F1,'E-

' BAY, OF emcee-i0,- ILLINOIS.

\ ELECTRIC SAFETY SYSTEM ronnnlLnoens,

Applicationiiled Septemberj24, 917. Serial no; 192,908.

1 0 (6 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHAN SKIND-ERVIKEN, a subject of the King of Norway, and a resident of the cityof Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Safety Systems for Railroads, of which the viollowing is'a specification;

- My invention relates to improvements in electric safety systems for railroads of that class which are designed to prevent both head-on and tail-end collisions.

The object of this invention is the production ot' asa'fety system or the character mentioned-which will be of simple construction, positive and quick-acting in operation,

and which willnot be susceptible to readily becoming inoperative. I I i A further object is the production of a system through the medium of which an o'pera-tor or dispatcher in a station along the track may control the movement of trains within a predetermined distance along the track in either direction'from the station, 'so

as to thereby afiord means of preventing acthe system applied to a double trackrailroad,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the system, applied to a single track railroad,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the system applied to a single track railroad,

' and in addition thereto the mechanism for controlling the travel of trains from a station located along the track,

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional detail illustrating the construction of one of the contact shoes carried by each train, i v

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the outer end of the shoe shown in Fig. 4, i V.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5

of a con tact shoe carried by eachtrain at the side opposite that at which the shoe shown i'nFigs'.

4c and'5 is arranged, i

Fig. 7 is a -vertical transverse section through a single track railroad equipped with the safety system, the connections with,

the train and the mechanism located on the latter beingshown diagrammatically,

Fig. Sis a top-plan view ofrone' of the contact devices included in the inventionwhich are arrangedalong the track of the railroad, the top plate of .thecontact device being I'emoved'in order to expose underlying parts, i

,f Fig. ,9 is an end viewof the'con'tact device shown in Fig. 8 I

Fig. 10 is a central vertical transversesece tion of the contact device,

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail plan view. of

one of the switch members'provided in tlie control stationarrang'ed along the railroad track, v I s s Fig. 12 is a sectiontaken on linefwm of Fig. 11, p

Fig'l8 is a side elevation of the construc-. tion shown'in Fig. 11 I i Fig'llisia'top P nview ofanother'on trol station, and Q v Fig. 15 is aside elevation of the construe-o tion shown in Figl. v here the system is employed iii (Z-0111166? of the switch devices provided. in the con-;

tion with. a; single track railroad, or one,

where, the trains are required, to move in both directions,inakiiig it necessarytopro-f vide against both head-on and tail-end col-' lisions, this arrangement being illustrated in Fig. 2, each train traveling overv the track and preferably the locomotive WhlClf 1s shown at A in Fig. i

, is equippedat onc side.

with contact. shoes B and C ;and.atfits other side witha contact shoe D. The contact'shoe. Bcomprises two vertically extending insulated contaetmemhers l and 1 and.

the contact shoe C comprises two-spaced in sulated Contact members 2 and 2,flsaid.con-

tactmembers l an dl 'and'2'and'2f beiiig securely mounted in a tuhulaiflhody 'o'i' holder, as shownfwhi'ch is suitably rigidly fastened to the locomotive. 'Cornespond: ingly, the shoe D is formed of twospaced insulated contact niei ib'ers 3 and '3' which are suitably mounted in a tubular holderfor arm which is suitably fixedfto the opposite,"

side of the locomotive; The contact'mem I iio bers 1 and 1 of the shoe B. are connected by means of conductor wires 4 andfi with a source of electrical energy such as a battery 6 provided in the locomotive. Interposed in the conductor wire a is an electro-magnet 7 adapted upon closing of the circuit ber 8 is moved into engagement therewith.

The arrangement is such, as will be seen, that when electro-magnet T is energized, the contact member -8 will. be moved intoengage ment with the contact 9 in order to close the circuit therethrough. The contact 8. is connected by means of aconductor wire 10 with the conductor wire a. The contact 9 is con.- nected by means of a conductor wire 11 with one side of: an electric motor 12, the opposite side of said motor being connected by means of a conductor wire 13 with the conductor wire 5. With this arrangement, then it will be seen that, when the contact member 8 is moved through the influence of electromagnet 7, into engagement with the contact 9, a circuit will be closed. through the motor 12 which will cause operation of the latter. The power shaft 14: of the motor 12 is formed with a worm thread as shown.

' which is adapted to engage with a worm wheel 15 fixed to the stem 16 of a. valve in terposed in the compressed air pipe 17 of the brake system. of the train. The arrange ment is such that upon rotation of the shaft 14:, the valve stem 16 will be rotated and cause opening of the valve controlled there by and thus effect setting of the brakes of the train, as will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Carried by the worm wheel 15 is a switch arm or blade 18 adapted, when the w. rm wheel 15 reaches a point in its rotation in which the valve stem 16 is in fully open position, to engage with spaced contacts 15) and 19 in order to close an electric circuit therethrough. The contact 19 is connected by means of a conductor wire 20 with the wire 13, the contact 19 being connected by means of a conductor wire 21 with one side of an electro-magnet. 22 which is so arranged that, upon energizing thereof. the

.member 8 of the makeand-break devices gages with the contacts 19 and 19 a circuit will" be closed through make and-break device 89 hence breaking the cnicuit through i the motor 12. with. the result of stoooine the v I I i 1. .4

said shaft and upward swinging of the same in order to permit the returning of the worm wheel 15 and hence the valve controlled thereby to init al position. after an actuation of the mechanism, the worm wheel being manually operated to return it to lts normal position.

Supplemental conductor wires 21 and .25

are connected with the contact .members 1' and 1 of the shoe B, and an: ordinary switch. or push buttonv 26 is located in the locomotive for connecting the wires 2a and 25 and hence the contact members 1 and 1. With this arrangement, it will be. seen that provision is made whereby the brake-setting mechanisr. located on the locomotive may be readily and expeditiously tested in order to determine whether vornot the same is in perfect working order.

The contact members 2 and 2 of the. shoe C are connected by means of conductor wires 27 and 28 with conductor wires 10 and 5 respectively. "With this arrangement, it will be. seen that a circuit is formed which permanently connects the contact members 2 and 2 with the source of energy 6, this circuit being broken by the contact members 2 and 2 themselves which, as above described, are insulated from one another. Intel-posed in the conductor wire 2'7 is an electric lamp 29 which affords means of visually advising the locomotive engineer whether or not the circuit through the contact members 2 and 2 is completed and unbroken when the outer ends of said contact members engage with other contact devices along the railroad track, which will be resently described.

Similarly, the contact members 3 and. 3 of the shoe D are connected by means of conductor wires 30 and 31 respectively. with conductor wires 5 and 27, the arrangement as is apparent, resulting in a permanent electrical connection between the inner ends of contact members 3 and 3 and the source of energy 6. An electric light is inter posed in the conductor wire 30 for a reason similar to that above set forth in connection with the lamp 29.

Arranged at inteiwals along each side of the railroad track, as shown in the diagrammatic illustration of Fig. 2, is a plurality of contact devices adapted 1 for cooperation with the shoes B,'C and "D of the trains traveling upon said track. Each of the contact devices arranged along the track comprises a housing 33 (see Fig. 8) which is rigidly mounted upon. the ties-oft the track or other suitablesupport. Thexmemb'er 33 is formed with. an inwardly projecting upper portion in the underside of which are provided three spaced longitudinallyextending groves 34, and 36 adapted to accommodate respectively the contact shoes B, C and D of a train traveling along the track, as clearly shown in Fig.7. Arrangedin the groove 34 is a pair of spring contact members 37' and 37' insulated-from each other, as shown. Mounted in the groove 35 aretwo pairs of spring contact members 38 and 3S and 39 and 39 alsoinsulated from each other. Mounted in the groove 36 are spring contact members and 40 insulated from each other in the same manner as the beforementioned contact anember-s/ The arrangement is such, that in the travel of a train past one of the contact devicesar-' ranged along the track, the members 1 and l or the contact shoe B will engage with the contact members 37 and 37, the contact members 2 and 2 of the shoe C will contact first with the contact members-38 and38 and later with cont-actmembers 39 and 39,

- will engage with the contact members 40 and i 40 of the last mentioned contact'device;

Mounted in the housing 33 of each contact device is also a make-'and-brea'k device consisting of a movable contact member '41 which is pivoted intermediate its extremities as at 42. One end 01" the contact member 41' is adapted, in one position, to releasably engage with a stationary contact .member 43,

' bein vieldinglv held in en 'a ement theret m v t b with" by friction; Cooperating with each contact member 41 are four electro-magnets 44, 45, 46, and-47, the arrangement being such that when either electro-magnet 45 or 46 is energized, the contact member 41 will be moved into closing position or-into engagement with the contact 43, and when either electro-magnet 44 or 4'? is energized. the contact member 41- Will be drawn out of engagementwith the contact member 43hr to open-position. m F

The contacts 37 and 37" of each contact device, are connectedbymeans of conductor wires 48 and 49 with contacts 43 and '42 respectively, so that when the latter is in closed position, the contact members 37 and 37' will be electrically connected and further so that when thecontact members 1 andv 1 of the shoe B engage with said contact mom-r hers-37 and 37, with themake-and-break device 4143 in closed condition, the circuit through the contact members 1 and I of contact device, are connected by means of said shoe-will'be closed with the result of efiectingstopping of the passing train, as

above described. I I .The contact members 38 and 38 ofeach conductor wires 50 and 51 'with1the poles f ofthe electro-magnet 47 of the second contact device behind'so that in the't-ravel of a train, when the contacts 38'and 38'- are engaged with the contact members 2 and 2 oft-the shoe C, the electro-magnet .47 of the second contact device behind the train will be energized to cause the'make-and breaktdevice of this contact device to be.

opened and thusfl automatically: breaking: the circuitthrough the corresponding contact members 37 and 37".i

The contact members 39 and 39 are connected by means of conductor wires 52 and 53 with the poles of electro magnet 45Qso- 1 that in the travel of a'train, as the contact members 2 and 2 of the shoe C thereof passes each contact device along'ithetrack,

and-in so doing engageswith the contact members 39 and 39 thereof, the corresponding electro-magnet '45 will be energized in order to effect closing of the corresponding make-and-breakdevice42-43. This makeand-break device will remain closed until the second. succeeding "contact device-:is" passed by the train in 'which event the en-- gageinent of thecontactx members 2 and '2 of theshoe'C of the train with the contact v members 38 and 38 of the last mentioned contact device will 4 effect energizing of-the electro' m-agnet 47 of the first mentioned I contact device to automatically 7 open the corresponding make-and-break i device, as above'described. 7' l I i Thus, with this arrangement,it will be seen that'in the travel of a train along the track, as the same passes each of'the contact devices spaced along the track, the make-andbreak device thereof will be automatically closed or reiidered-'operative,-each. being automatically" opened or rendered inoperative as :thetrain passes the second sue-- ceeding contact device; -*'Thus," with this'arrangement,,- in the-event ofa second train coming closer to the first train than {the distance between three adjacent contact de vices, the same will be automatically stopped through engagement of the contact mem the contact members -'37"and' 37" of a contact device in; which the make-and-break device is closed,-orhas not 'yet' been rendered inoperative. In practice the contact devices will; be spaced apart at say one mile" intervals, and so that: with this 'arrangement, "it will be impossible for trains traveling on the same track in thesame direction-tocome closer than within two miles of each other. Both sides ofthe track are correspondingly eq'uippedfas will be seen,

'bers l -and l of the shoe'B thereof with tact-members o the d vice, above-descr bed which -renclersthe system operative with 1. trains moving, in: either. direction upon the track.

;Gooperating with the contact members andy40 of each contactdeviceare conductor wires 54 and 57 respectively, the former being connectedwitha conductor. wire. which extendsi along the track for connection with. the conductor wires 54 of a series of the contactdevices, said wire --r-angement is such, as will be .seen, that when-a circuit through any one pair of the contact members 40 and 40: is closed, all of the electro-magnets46 which are 0011- nected inparallel with the corresponding conductor wires 55 and 58 willbe energized, with theeti'ect of moving the movable member .41 of; the various make-and-break adevices-to closedor operative position.

'With this arrangement, itwillbeoseen r that in the travel of a trainzalong the-track,

as the shoe Dthereof passes thefirst contact device of a .seriesot the, latter, (there being four, in eachseries, as shown inv Fig. 2 of the drawings). the make-and-breakdevices of :the corresponding contactdevices will be instantly rendered operative. This. being. so whena trainpasses the first of the contact. devices of a series, theinake-andbreak devices of the three succeeding contact devices, or the three whichv arezahead of thetrain, willbe rendered. operative, with the result thatin the eventot an on-coming train, or one moving toward the first train, as the oil-coming train passes the first-of the contact devices in which the makeandbreak devices have been rendered flopere ative, as ,,above mentioned, the circuit through the brake-settingmechanism of the latter train will be closedwiththe result of. quickly and automatically bringing; ,the train-tov a stop. Both sides of :the track being similarlyequipped, and all trains being -correspondinglyi equipped-each of'two trains oapproaching each other, as just described.= will correspondingly affect the other, with the result of bringing; both trains to a stop at the same time. Y

The .lastcontact device of, each seriesof thelatter, as just described, is equippedwith an additional pair of. contact membersZGO and, 60 as shown in Fig.2, whichvareharranged in the groove 36 of; the casing. .33 of the device, being insulated; from each other and constructed the-same. as the other conand as clearly showninFig. .8. tact memberGQ 18 connected by means of a conductor wire 61 with. a conductor. wire 62 which extends longitudinally of the track,

being connected by branch conductor wires G3 with the conductor wires 53 of the contact devices of. the series,. said conductor wires 53 belng connected by means of con-.

ductor wire 64 with one pole of the electromagnet 44 of each .Of the contact devices. Thus, with this arrangement it will be seen that a direct connection is established be-. tween the contact-member GOnand one pole by branch conductor wires 67 with the other pole of each =electro-magnet44 of the series of contact devices. Thus, with this arrangement, it will be seen that as a train passes the last contact device of each series of the lat ter arranged along the track, the contact members 8 andB' of the shoe Dot the train engaging with the contact members 60' and 60 of said contact device, will effect the closing of a circuit through. the contact members .60-and .60 with the result of simultaneously energizing all of the electroemag nets44 which are connected in parallel with said contacts 60, and. 60, thereby simultaneously effecting movement of the movable members 41- of the make-and-breakdevices of the series to open position, or with the result of rendering said make-and-break devices inoperative. I-Ience, with the arrangement set forth, itwill be seen that provision is made for the prevention of both headeon and tail-end collisions. It should be'noted, however, that the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, .inorder .to .be effective in. avoiding head-0n collisions in: the first block of each series of blocks,must be arranged so that the separate series of blocks will overlap one anotherin the manner in. which the individual blocks of each series overlap each other, as

The conbyconnecting the contact members 40 and 40 ofthe last contact members of the series (right hand travel) to the block next succeeding (right hand travel), by extending the conductor wires 55 and 58 and connecting them with the corresponding wires of the adjacent series. This precaution is, of course, necessary'only in connection. with a. single track railroad where. trains move in bothv directions 1-Howevec. where the. systemis tobe used in connection-with a double track railroad, orwhere the trains movein onlyoiie direction upon each track, the pro:- vision of mechanism for the. preventionof. head-on collisions is unnecessary. 'Therefore, .in double track railroads, the useof electromagmts 44 and 46, as wellas the contactmenibers 40-;and 40f. and fifland' 60 together with the conductor wires cooperatmg with these elements are dispensed with .and only so much otthe system employed as is instrumental in the prevention of tailend collisions, as illustrated in Fig. 1, except that in Fig.1, the electro-magnet's'i'? are arranged side by side with the electromagnets l5,instead of directly opposite the ever, to swing ineither directionin order to permit of the passage of the contact shoes B, C and D of the trains.

In order to facilitate the connection of the conductor Wires extending longitudinally of the railroad track and the conductor wires cooperating with the contact members and elect-ro-magnets of each contact device, a connection board 69 having a plurality of binding poststhereon is provided in the llOLlsing ofleach contact device,--as clearly shown in Fig. 10, an opening 69 being providedin thehousing for the passage of the conductor wires, as clearly wires cooperating with the track, the branch shown in Figs. 8 and 10. A-cable extends along one sid of the track to accommodate the longitudinally extending conductor conductor wires which cooperate with the contact devices at the opposite side of the track being run transversely of the track from said cable, assho-wn at7l in' Fig. 7.

In Fig. 3 wherein is illustrated mechanism for controlling the movement of trains by manually adjustable mechanism under the control of an operator located in a station along the track, a switch or siding track 72 is illustrated in connection with the main track, this track being employed to accommodate a slow train or freight train in order to permit of the passage of a faster train. Arranged adjacent the track at the switch track 72 is a station 7 3 diagrammatically illustrated. Arranged in said station for cooperation with the contact devices ateachside of the track; is a switch device comprising bars 74 and 74 which are slidably mounted in supports 75 and 75' respectively, as clearly shown in Figs. 11,,12 and'13. Springs 7 6,, as clearly shown in Fig. 12 cooperate with thebars 'll, and 74: to securely pressthe latter into engagement with. one side [of each of the supports 7 5and 75 lnorder toiinsure a good electrical connection, Pins 77 and 78 -co operate with the bars 74 and 7% to limit the amplitude of slidingv movementof the At one end the bars Hand 74; are

same. connected with a handle 79 insulated from said bars and which affords'means of simultaneously sliding the same, said bars 74' and '74" being insulated from'each other.

Provided upon the bars 74; and 74; are cute wardly and downwardly projecting contact flanges 80 and 80, the depending portions of which are inclined as shown. Arranged at the sides of bars 74: and 74 are pairs of spring arms 81 and 82 and 81 and-'82 respectively, insulated fromeach other. At

the freeends of said arms Bland 82 and 81 and 82' are provided'upwardly extending contact pins 83 and 84 and 83 and 84' respectively, adapted for engagement with the inner sides'of the depending portions of contact flanges 80 and.,80 upon forward or withdrawing movement ofthe handle 79, as will be readily understood. The amplitude of movement of thehandle 79 and hence the flanges 80 and'80 is, such that,in

the movement of said handle to its forward terminals of movement, said flanges will bev carried completely past'thecontact pins 83 and 84 and 83 and 8 F..- The rearward ends of said flanges are spaced closer .together than the pins 83 and 83 and 84 and 84 so that upon the return movement of said contact flanges, said contactpins will engage against the outer sides of the depending portionsof said flanges. -Said' depending portions of said flanges are provided at their outer sideswithcoverings of insulating material so that electrical connection between the contact pins 83 and 8 L and 8,3 and 84: and the flanges 80 and 80 will be effected only upon forward movement of the latter. i 1

The supports 7 5 and 75 are connected by means of conductor wires 85 and 85" with the circuit wires 86 and 87 of a battery or source of electrical energy; 88 provided in i the station 73. The contactmembers 81 and 81 are connected by, conductor wires 89 and 89? with the conductor wires 50 and 51 at the adjacent sideof the track which .00- operate with the electro-magnet 4.7 of the,

contact device second removed from the sta-;

tion to the right (not shown in Fig. The contact members 82 .and 82 are-connected bymeans of conductor. wires 9 Ofand 90 with the conductor wires 50 andc5l which cooperate with'the ,electro-magnet 4:7

ofth'e contactdevice first removed from the station 78 to the right .of the latter} Thus, it will be seen that each. of the switch devices described is adapted to control the electro-magnets47 of the two contact devices at either side of the switch" track 7 2 which would be affected by a train whichhad entered upon the switch track from either end of the latter, .It is, of course, understood from the foregoing, that thennakeprovision of the switch scribed, in the event of a second or fast and-break devices of the two contactdevices immediately behind a train are always operative or closed, and so that without the mechanism detrain passingthe switch trackonto which a slower train has been sidetracked, the faster train would be automaticallystopped "immediately upon passing the first of the two'contactdevices which had been set/or rendered operative by the train which had entered upon the switch track. However,

through'the provision of the switch mecha- "nism 'as described, the contact devices, that y is the 'make-and-breakdevices of the contact devices which had been set or rendered operative by the slow train which entered the switchtrac'k, 'may'be opened or rendered in- "operative and thus permit oi'the passage of the faster train withoutthe latter being effected by said contact devices. In the forwardmovement of the handle 7 9 of each of the switch devices, bringing the corresponding contact flanges 80 and 80 into engagement with the contact pins 83 and 84 and 83 and 84', it will be seen that the circuit through the two sets of wires 51 with which the wires 89 and 89 and 90 and 90 connect, will be clo'sedthrough the battery or source of energy 88 and with the result of energizing the magnets 47 with which said two" sets ofwi'res50 and 51 connect.

covering the'fouter' sides" of the contact flanges 80'and 80 of the switchdevices with affecting the condition of the make-and-' break device's controlled thereby and which were "4.0

insulating material, the return movement of 'thesw'itch devices is permitted without opened or rendered inoperative through forward movement of the handle "79 of said switch devices.

' Provision is also made whereby the operator'located in the station 73 may control "the'travel of a train approaching the station, or which has passed the same, thus "'inakingit'possible for the operator, upon receiving notice of impending danger to a train which is within the zone or domination of the station 73, to automatically stop a' train and thus prevent possible wreck or injury. This is, of course, of advantage in connection with wash-outs, spread-rails or other trouble which might result in wrecking or derailing of a train.

This mechanism comprises'four switches which'are located in the station 73 which are of identical construction and electrically "connected with the conductor wires 55 and station along the track. mentioned switches (seeFig. 14:) consists '58 and '62 and 66 at either side of the track and eirtending ineither direction from the Each of the last of a pair of switch bars 91 and91 which are mounted in supports 92"and 92 in precisely the'same manner as the switch bars 74 and 74 are mounted in the guides 5 and 75. The forward ends of bars 91 and 91 are connected with the handle 93 from which the same are insulated. Upon the bars 91 and 91 adjacent the forward ends thereof are provided outwardly projecting rounded contact lugs 94 and 94 which are adapted, upon forward movement of the handle 73 to successively engage with spring contact members 95 and 96 and 95 and 96' arranged at opposite sides of the movable switch element.

The supports 92 and 92 are connected by conductor wires 97 and 97 with the circuit wires 86 and 87 respectively of the battery or source of energy 88 so that when the contact lugs 94 and 941- engage with the contact members 95 and 95', the latter will be electrically connected with the source of energy 88, and similarly when said contact lugs engage with the spring contacts 96 and 96',

a circuit will be closed through the same and the source of energy 88. v The contact members 95 and 95 of each switch are connected by means of conductor wires 98 and 98' with the conductor wires 66 and 62 respectively, leading to the adjacent contact device. The contact members 96 and 96 of'ea'ch switch are similarly connected by means of conductor wires 99 and 99 with the conductor wires ing of the corresponding make-and-break devices. Upon contact of'said lugs 9 land94' with the contact members 96 and 96, the electro-magnets 46 with which the conductor wires 55 and 58"a're electrically connected, will be energized and'cause'closing of said make-and-break devices or render the same operative. Hence, with this arrangement, upon outward movement of the movable switch elements of the last described switch devices, the make-and-break devices within a predetermined distance in either direction from the station maybe closed or rendered operative in order to antomatically effect the stopping of any'train which may pass any of the contact devices in which the make-and-break devices have been closed or rendered operative. The zone of influence of the operator located atthe station may, of course, be extended to any extent desired by simply connecting the con ductor wires 55and 58 and 62 and 66 with the electro-magnets wand-44 of a greater or less number of the contact devices'arranged along the track. Upon the return movement of the movable switch members of said switches, the contact'lugs 94 land .94 being brought'into contact with thecontact-members 95vand 95, last in this movement, or after said contact. lugs, have 1 left the contact members 96 and 96', the electromagnets 44 will be the lastto be energized,v in this movement ofsaid switch-elements, and hence: will effect opening" of the niakeand-break device or rendering. of. the same inoperative in the return movement of said- .movable switch members.

While I have illustrated and preferred forms of construction for carrying my invention'into effect, these are. capable of 5 variation and modificationwithout departing from the spirit of the; invention, L;

'therefore, do'not Wishto be limited toythe 1 desire to avail myself of such variations and lIlOdlfiGfitlOllS as come Wltllln the scopeof the precise details of. construction-set forth, but

' appendedfclaims,

trical devices spaced along the track, each-'- of which is adapted, when in operative condition, to effect rotation of said wheelof a Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentis: 7-.

-1. In an electric safety system for railroads, the combination of a worm wheel on each train; a motor having a shaft provided with a-worm thread adapted to mesh with said wheel; a valve interposed in the air; brake system of the train operable upon the rotation of said wheel; a plurality of electrain passing thesame; electrical means on o each train-for rendering operative certain of said electrical devices alongthetracky 4 electrical means on: each train. for subse- H quently rendering-inoperative the ;last :mentioned devices after the train has traveled a predetermined distance; a a station located along the track; andmeans in said station -f01 (IO-0138112111011 with certain of sa1delectherotation of said Wheel;. a plurality of electrical devices spaced along the track,

each of which is adapted, when in operative 1 condition, to elfect rotation of the worm;

. wheel of a train passingthe same; electrical .means on each train for rendering OPEIELtlVEL certain .of said electricaldevices along the;

track; electrical; means on each train for subsequently rendering inoperative thelast mentioned devices after the train has traveled, a predetermined distance 3, a station located along the track; and means in saidcuit-of -a t rainpassing' the same; means on operator located inthe station for co-operition with the electrical :dev ices located adjacent said station at either side thereof fol-rendering the same operaj ,7 tive or inoperative at the will of an operator" located 'in the station, substantially as described.

3.111 an ,electricsafety system for rail v roads, the comblnation of a worm -wheel'on :each tram}; a motor having. a shaft provided with a worm thread adapted-for meshiugv; with said wheel; a. valve. interposed in the described the airbrake system ofthe train-operable upon v the rotation of said wheel; a'normally open electric circuit oneach'train, adapted, when closed, to" effect rotation of said wheel," a plurality of make-and-break 7 devices spaced along the track, eacli'of which is ada'pted,

whenactuated,to-- close the mentioned cireach train for eifecting opening and closing of said make-and-br'eal; devicesy'a station located along, the track; and means. in said station for CO-OPGlfltlO-Il with certain of said -make and-break devices along the track, for .opening and closing thesame atthe will of an operator located in-the station, sulostantfi ally as-described. I f a. In an electric safety system for railroads, thecombination of a worm wheelon each train;,a motorhaving a shaft provided ,with'a wormthreadadapted to mesh withsaid Wheel; aevalve interposedlin the air brake system of the train operable upon the rotation of said wheel; a normally open electric circuit on .each' train adapted-,-wlien opening. andlclosingrof said makeandrbreak devices; a.- station located along the track;

and means-in said-station for c0,.0perationwith the make-and-break devices adgacent ing and closing the same at the will of an station, substantially asdescribed.

I 5. In an electric safetysystem for. rail roads, the combination of a worm wheel on {each train; a motor having a shaft pro vided with aworm thread adapted to mesh with said: wheel; a valve interposed in the air brake system of the train operable upon the rotation of said wheel; a plurality of electrical. devices sp aced along the track, each of whichis' adapted, when inoperative condition, to effect rotation of said wheel'of a-train passing the same; electrical meansvoni' eachtrain for rendering operative certanr of, said electrical dev cesalong thetrack; electrical means on each train for subsequently rendering, inoperative the last mentioned de- I vices after the @train has traveled a; prede 100 closed, .to effect rotation of said wheel;- a .pluralityof makeand-brealr devices spaced .along the'tra'ck, eachof which is adapted, when actuated to closed condition, to close the mentionedcircuit of a train passing the 1S&II1B;- I1'l6tLDS on I each train] for effecting 110 said stationat either :side thereof for opentermined distance; and manually operable means independent of thetrain adapted for cooperation with certain of saidelectri'cal devices for rendering the same operative or inoperative at the willofthe operator, substantially as described.

6.111 an electric"safety'system for railsaid wheel; a valve interposed in theair brake system of the train operable upon the rotation 'oi'said wheel; a normally open electric circuit on each train adapted, when closed; to effect rotation of saidwvhcelj a plurality of make and break devices spac'ed when in closedcondition,to'close the mentioned circuit of. a train passing the's'ame;

means on each train for effecting opening and 'closing'oi"certain. oi said make-andbreak devices during travel of the train ;"and manually operable means independent of the trainadapted for co-operati'on with-cerlain off said make-and-break the operator, substantially as described.

7.111 an electric safetysystenri or railroads, the'c'ombination of a worm wheel on each train; a motor having a shaft provided with a worinthread adapted to mesh" witlr' said wheel; a valve interposed in the air 1 brake system of the'train' operable upon the of said electrical devices along thetrack;

and a manually operable switchco-operatmg withan independent source of energy in'' dependent of the train adapted for co-opera tion with certain of said electrical devices 'for rendering the same operative or inopera-= tive at the will of the operator,substantiallyas described.

8. In 'an' electric safety system for rail-- roads, the combination of a worm wlie'el'on each train; a'in'o'tor having a shaft provided with'a worm thread 'ada'pted'to mesh with 'sa'id wheel; a valve interposed in the air" brake system ofthe train oiieiablehq'i'onthe rotation of said Wheel; a normally open electric circuit on each train adapted, when' closedfto effect rotation of said wheel; a

T plurality of make and- 'break devicesspaced along the track, each of which is adapted,

when in closed condition, to close the mentioned circuit of a tra-in passing the same; means on each train for effecting opening and closing of certain of said make-and- 'break devices during travel "of the train;

and' manually operable switches co-operatingwith a source of energyinde 'iendent of v devices for operating or closing the same at the will of I the trainadaptecl for'co-operation with said makeand-break'devices for opening or closing thesameat the will of the operator,

' substantially as described;

9. 'In an electricsafety system "for rail- "roads,'the combination of a worm wheel on each train; a motor having a sha'it' provided with a'wormthread adapted to mesh with said wheel; a'valve interposedin the air brake system of the train operable upon the rotation of said wheel; a plurality of elec- -trical"devices spaced along the track each of which is-adapted, when in operative con- 'dition,'to'efiectrotation of'the WVOIIH wheel of a train passing the same; electrical'm'eans 7 v g [on each train'for'rendering operative ceralong the track, each of which 1s adapted,

e'rgy -indep''end'e'nt of the train adapted for cooperation with certainofsa-id electrical devices for rendering thefsame operative or inoperative at the will of the operator, each of said switches comprising a movable ele ment adapted, when moved'to one position, to render said electrical devices inoperative and, when moved to another position, to render said devices operative,substantiallyas described.

' 10. In 'anele'ctric safety system'fo1'"rail roads; the combinationbf a \vo'rin'wheel on each train; a motor having a shaft provided with a'worm thread adapted to mesh with said wheely a valve'interposedin the air brake'system ofthe train operable upon the rotation of said wheel a'plurality ofelectrical devices spaced along the track', each of which is adapted, Wheninoperativeco'ndition, to effect rotation of the worm'wheel or" the train passing the same; electrical niea'nson ea'ch train forrendering operative certain of said electrical devices along the tr'ackj electrical means (in-each train for subsequentl "rendering "inoperative the last inentioned devices after the train has trill" eled a predetermined distance;manuallyoperable means independent'of the train adapted for cooperation with certain of said elec- 'tri c'al" devices for rendering the same inoperative "after having been rendered operable through passing of a train, said means comprlsing a movably mounted switch element adapted, whenmoved in one direction, to

render said devices inoperative; and means for renderingineitective the return move ment of said switchelement,substantially as described.

11; In an' electric safety system for railroads, the combination with a main traclc anda side track connected therewith, of a worm wheelon each train; a'motor having a shaft provided with a worm thread adapted to mesh with said wheel a valvein'terposed in the air brake system of a train operable upon the rotation of'sa id wheel; a plurality lilo of electrical devices spaced along the track, each of which is adapted, Whenin operative condition, to eflect rotation of the worms wheel of a train passing the same; means on train passing onto said side track and which has remained in this closed condition after the passage of the train onto the side track;

substantially as described. 7

12. In an electric safety system for railroads, the combination ofa main track and a side track connected therewith, of a worm wheel on each train; a motor having a'shaft provided with a worm thread adapted to mesh with said wheel; a valve interposed in the air brake system of the train operable upon the rotation of said wheel; a normally open electric circuit on each train adapted,

Witnesses when closed,to effect rotation of said wheel;

a plurality of make-and-bre'ak devices spaced along the track, eachof which is adapted,

when actuated to closed condition,fto close 7 the mentioned circuit of a trainpassing the same; means on each train for ellecting clos- 7 ing of each make-and-break device passed thereby; means on each "train for subsetrolled means independent of the trains 'quently effecting opening oi each make-andi 4 break device after the train has "traveled a predetermined distance; and manually con-j adapted for opening the make and-breakdevices closed by the passage of a train onto 7 said side track and which has remained in this closed condition after the passage of the train onto the side track, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my I name to this specification in the presence of" two subscribing witnesses; r

ARTHUR A. O LsoN," B. RICHARDS.

JOHAN sKINDE VIK-EN, 

